U.N. Chief, German Leader Urge Japan to OK Kyoto Treaty
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder pressed Japan on Friday to ratify the Kyoto treaty, arguing that the Asian nation has a “special responsibility” as the country where the global warming accord was born.
The 1997 agreement faces an important test at talks in Bonn next week. The position of Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, has become pivotal to its survival.
“Any attempt to prevent this internationally crucial agreement from getting underway in Bonn and making it ratifiable for everyone would be a serious political mistake,” Schroeder said.
President Bush has said the U.S., the industrial world’s largest producer of carbon dioxide, won’t sign. European Union nations want to press ahead, but Japan and Australia don’t want to ratify the agreement without the U.S.
“Japan as the host country has historic and special responsibility, and I’m sure they will live up to that,” Annan said.
Schroeder said he will call Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi next week to press the point, though an EU delegation earlier failed to persuade Tokyo to commit itself to ratification.
The treaty aims to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to global warming to 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2012.
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